Early Childhood Teacher - Head Start
DEPARTMENT: Head Start
JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Teacher
FLSA class: Non-Exempt/Full – Time
REPORTS TO: Early Childhood Education Coordinator
JOB PURPOSE: The Early Childhood Teacher under the supervision of the Education Coordinator for the Head Start ensures the growth and development of the children enrolled in the center.
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
A BA/BS or advanced degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education or;
A degree in a field related to Early Childhood Education with a minimum of 6 hours in Child Development or Early Childhood Education experience in teaching preschool children and the State of Illinois-04 certificate or;
A state-awarded certificate for preschool teachers that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child development associate credential;
Completion of the CDA credentialing program of the Council for Professional Recognition with a current CDA credential with preschool center base endorsement and;
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Experience in early childhood education or a related field.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. The Early Childhood Teacher will be responsible for implementing well organized learning environments.
2. The Early Childhood Teacher will provide developmentally appropriate practices to the children in the classroom on field trips, and playground that is culturally and individually appropriate.
3. Responsible for the monthly reporting, collecting and submission of in-kind and non-federal share contributions.
4. The Early Childhood Teacher will be responsible for providing appropriate supervision of the children, maintaining appropriate ratios in order to ensure each child's safety while in their care.
5. The Early Childhood Teacher will learn and administer all assessment system used for screening including on going assessments and documentation.
a) The Early Childhood Teacher is responsible for maintaining the following records pertinent to the operations of the classroom and will submit records, reports or any other paper work on the designated due date. Records are as follows:
b) Lesson plans must be completed by Friday at 12:00 for the following week. Lesson plan books will remain in classroom over weekend.
c) Portfolios
d) Anecdotal records must be kept for each child with at least one entry made per week.
e) Attendance will be documented into PROMIS daily, no later than 2:00 pm. Attendance books will be maintained on a daily basis.
f) Early Childhood Teachers will be responsible for conducting two (2) home visit reports and 2 parent/teacher conference reports. These reports will be submitted to the Education Coordinator on designated dates.
g) An inventory must be continued on classroom equipment and supplies, once at the start of the school year and again at the end of the school year. The Early Childhood Teacher will be responsible for any missing or damaged equipment and upon purchasing new materials.
6. A Early Childhood Teacher must attend important meetings involving the community the program serves:
a. CAA Board meetings
b. School Board meetings
c. Provider agency meetings
d. Early Childhood organizations
7. An Early Childhood Teacher must attend all staff meetings promptly at the specified time and place.
8. An Early Childhood Teacher must involve the parents in the daily classroom operation with confidence to assure the parents that they are needed and are useful.
9. The Early Childhood Teacher must maintain the equipment and supplies in the classroom and center with care.
10. An Early Childhood Teacher must observe the rules and procedures of the agency providing classroom space for the Head Start program.
11. An Early Childhood Teacher must eat with the children at meal and snack times. The Early Childhood Teacher provides the children with a relaxed atmosphere and makes it an enjoyable time.
12. An Early Childhood Teacher must maintain good positive discipline at all times.
13. The Early Childhood Teacher must be cooperative with other staff, show willingness to help when needed and to display professionalism at all times.
14. An Early Childhood Teacher must observe all local, state and federal rules, which govern the operation of the Head Start program.
15. An Early Childhood Teacher respects the confidentiality of a child and their family at all times.
16. The Early Childhood Teacher will perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director, Education Coordinator or other appropriate staff members.
17. The Early Childhood Teacher will use assessment and anecdotal information to individualize for children’s developmental needs.
18. The Early Childhood Teacher will maintain 15 hours of professional development through Gateways to Opportunity.
19. For children who speak a second language, assess skill development in the child’s known language.
20. Must be able to perform the essential duties of the job description.
21. Must have and maintain a valid Illinois Driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance as required by the State of Illinois.
Performance Factors
Company Expectation of Employee: The employee adheres to Company Policies, Procedures, Standards of Conduct, and Code of Ethics.
Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious, about assignments.
Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.
Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works, to maintain constructive working relationships.
Americans with Disability Specifications on Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.